Cash register



Dec. 23, 1941. E. BREITLING CASH REGISTER Filed Oct. 13, 1938 2. Sheets-Sheet Ernst Breitlin'g J Inventor By MM Hi: Attornqy E. BREITLING- 2,266,845

CASH REGISTER Dec. '23, 1941.

Filed Oct. 13, 1958 2 Sheets-SheetQ Ernst Brcitling Inventor His Attorney Patented Dec. 23, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CASH REGISTER Ernst Breitling, Berlin-Tempelhof, Germany, as signor to The National Cash Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Maryland Application October 13, 1938, Serial No. 234,748 In Germany October 30, 1937 11 Claims.

relation with the data entering and withdrawing means.

The common method now in use for pos1tion ing the selected totalizer of a row in operative relation with thedata entering or data with- I drawing devices consists in shifting the row of totalizers until the elements of the selected totalizer are in engageable position with said data entering or data withdrawing means. The actuating force for moving the totalizers under control of the selected key has heretofore been supplied by movement of a key or lever, or by the main operating mechanism.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide means whereby the depression of the selecting key moves the totalizer or totalizers associated therewith into engageable position with the data entering and data withdrawing devices, special mechanism of the machine supplying the power for the positioning movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel power operated means for selecting a totalizer before the machine commences its operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel mechanism to return shifted totalizers to a normal position at the conclusion of a machine operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a power source to movably select a totalizer which power source subsequently operates to release the machine for its main operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide power means to position a key-selected totalizer, said power means being potentially conditioned by the previous machine operation.

The invention is disclosed as applied to a machine of the type disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,101,636, issued to Ernst Breitling and Hans Schwenk, but the invention is not limited in application to that particular machine, as it is adaptable to machines of similar character.

With these and incidental objects in view, the invention includes certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in appended claims and a preferred form or embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the machine from front'to rear, to the right of the transaction key bank, looking toward the left.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatical front view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, along the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig; 3 is a detail showing the machine release mechanism.

Key mechanism A bank of depressible totalizer selecting keys H and [2 (Fig. l) are slidably mounted in frame l3 and held in normal depressible position by springs. not shown. Each key is provided with a pinl4adapted to cooperate with beveled surfaces on a sliding plate [5, mounted on studs l6 and IT, in such a manner that depressing an 11 key causes the plate I5 to move upwardly unless then inthat position, and depressing a 12 key ca lsesit to move downwardly unless then in that position. Therefore, if the last key depressed is an 11 key the plate 15 will be in the upper position, and if the last key depressed is a 12 key the plate l5 will be in the lower position. A second liding plate 18, mounted on studs l6 and I1, is normally retained in the upward position, shown in Fig. 1, by a spring [9 pulling said plate upwardly through a link 20. Plate i8 is forced downwardly against the tension of spring 19 when either an 11 key or a 12 key is depressed, due to the stud [4 of the depressed key entering a camming slot in said plate l8.

Mounted loosely on shaft 2| is a plate 22, and mounted loosely on shaft 23 is a plate 24, said plates 22 and 24 being connected together by link 25 in such a manner that both plates must rotate in the same direction. The plates 22 and 24 are constantly urged in a clockwise direction by spring 26. Shoulder 21 of plate 24 normally rests against the arm 28 of a bell crank lever 29 mounted loosely on stud 3IJ, preventing the clockwise motion of plates 22 and 24. The other arm of bell crank lever 29 is pivotally connected to link 20 before mentioned. Under these conditions, whenever a key 11 or 12 is depressed, lever 29 is moved clockwise by means of link 20, which clockwise motion allows shoulder 21 to bypass arm 28 allowing plates 22 and 24 to turn clockwise under the influence of spring 26 until shoulder. .on plate 24 strikes arm 28. The

tension of the spring 26 is restored at the end of each machine operation, for use in the next transaction, through the rotation of cam 32 pinned to the main drive shaft 33. The shaft 33 making one rotation each machine operation causes lever 32 to be rocked clockwise near the end of the cycle which motion, by means of a pin and slot connection, rocks plates 22 and 24 counterclockwise allowing arm 28 to engage shoulder 21 under action of spring 19, if the operator is no longer holding the key down, thus restoring the key mechanism to normal position. The restoring action tensions spring 25 for the next machine operation.

If a key is held down by the operator throughout the machine operation so that arm 28 is not positioned to catch shoulder 21, pawl 39 (Fig. 1), loosely mounted on stud 35, which normally rides surface 40 of plate 213 or is held away from surface 49 by pin 41, is allowed to catch surface 42, as plate 25 is rocked counterclockwise slightly beyond normal position on the restoring motion, thus preventing a repeat operation. On the key being finally released by the operator, arm 28 is positioned to catch shoulder 21 before pawl 59 leaves surface 42.

The rocking of plate 22 clockwise operates the machine release mechanism and the totalizer selecting and positioning mechanism.

Machine release Secured on shaft 35 (Figs. 1 and 3) is a lever 35 (Fig. 1) connected to plate 22 by a pin and through the turning of plate 22 positions the totalizers under selection of the key depressed.

Totalieer selecting and positioning mechanism Plate 55 (Fig. 1) is provided with a beveled surface for each key 11 and 12. These beveled surfaces cooperate with the pins I4 so that when a 12 key is depressed the plate I5 is moved to the down position, if not there at the time, and when an 11 key is depressed the plate I5 is moved to the up position if not there at the time. The plate 15 is shown in the illustration in the down position it assumes after a 12 key has been last depressed. The purpose of this selective movement of plate I5 is to block or permit the counter clockwise motion of lever 65 around stud 65 by causing shoulder 66 on plate 15 to be positioned or not be positioned in the path of movement of toe 61 on lever 64. When the plate 15 assumes the down position, caused by last depressing a 12 key, lever 64 is prevented from rocking counterclockwise, and when plate [5 is in the up position, it assumes when an 11 key is last depressed, the lever 64 is permitted to be rocked counterclockwise.

Rotatably mounted on shaft 21 is a lever 63 having an upper extending arm and a lower extending arm. Pivotally mounted on stud 69 secured on the upper extending arm of lever 58 is a link-lever 18 having a pin 1! engaging a slot connection in such a manner that on depres- (Fig. 3) having a toe 58 normally blocking the clockwise movement of lever 55 around its supporting bearing 31, as urged by spring 13. When shaft 35 is rocked counterclockwise by depression of a key H or 12 (Fig. 1), toe 38 (Fig. 3) is withdrawn from shoulder 59 allowing lever 46 to rock clockwise. A link 5: is slidably mounted at one end on shaft 35 by means of a bifurcation, and is pivoted at its other end to the upper'extending arm 53 of a four armed lever 51 rotatably mounted on shaft 55. Link 5i supports a roller 59 which normally rests against surface 52 of lever 45. As lever 25 rocks clockwise, under action of spring L38, springs 55 and 55 are allowed to pull link 51 to the left as surface 52 moves out of the way. The movement of link 51 rocks lever 51 counterclockwise, causing arm 58 to be removed from the path of lug 59 extending from wheel 65, which wheel is secured to the main drive shaft 33, allowing the shaft to be turned counterclockwise as the machine is operated. On completion of the rotation of the main drive shaft 33 stud 6| causes clockwise rocking of lever 51 which moves link 5! to the right causing stud 62 to bear against shoulder 63 of lever forcing it counterclockwise so as to be latched by lever 31 as shaft 35 is rocked clockwise when plate 22 (Fig. l) is rocked counterclockwise at the completion of the machine operation.

Thus a potential source of energy, consisting of a spring 25 (Fig. 1) tensioned by the previous machine operation, serves to unlock the machine for operation upon depressing any one of the keys 11 or 12.

The same source of energy at the same time bifurcation of lever 54, and a pin 12 engaging a bifurcation on plate 22. On the clockwise rocking of plate 22 link-lever 1'6 acts as an idly moving link if lever 54 is free to move, stud 69 acting as a pivot, but if lever 64 is kept from moving by the blocking action of shoulder 55 on plate 15 then pin H is held fixed as a center and lever 58 is rocked counterclockwise as plate 22 rocks clockwise.

Therefore if an 11 key is controlling the operation by being depressed, lever 68 gets no motion and if a 12 key is controlling, lever 58 is rocked counterclockwise.

Pins 13 in the stems of the 11 keys cooperate with bifurcations 14 in lever 68 to keep lever 58 from chance movement when an 11 key is depressed. When an 11 key is depressed the lever 58 is kept set as shown in Fig. 1, that being the position assumed at the end of a machine operation as will be explained. The lower extending arm 15 of lever 58 has a bifurcation cooperating with a pin 15 on one arm of a three armed lever 11 rotatably mounted on shaft 18.

Arms 19 and 82) of lever 11 have toothed ends cooperating with teeth on drum cams 8| and 82 rotatably mounted on frame supported studs 83 and 84. Drum cam 81 (Figs. 1 and 2) cooperates with cam followers 85 and 56 secured to a yoke 33, and drum cam 82 cooperates with cam followers 8'5 and 83 which are secured to a yoke 44.

Integral with yoke 43 are hubs I61 and H38 (Fig. 1) which hubs bear rotatable shafts 89 and 9&1. Integral with yoke 24 are hubs I09 and Hi) which bear rotatable shafts 9! and 92. The hubs 01, [[18, I09, and H9 are themselves loosely mounted in frame HI (Fig. 3) so that shafts E9, 95, 9|, and 92 may be rocked, and hubs I01, I08, I59, and H0 shifted. Fig. 2 shows the method of mounting the totalizers associated with shaft 9!. Pinned to shaft 91 are two arms, only the right arm H2 being shown. Mounted between said arms is the totalizer shaft 95 bearing thereon the rotatably mounted interspersed totalizer wheels NH, I02, E03, I05, I55, and H35, said wheels representing the lower three orders of two totalizers. Shifting shaft 9| selectively positions the wheels of cheer the other of the totalizers opposite the data-entering and data-- withdrawing differential elements 98, '99, and I00. 'The hub I09 is held between'the arm I I2 and a lever 97 both of which are pinned to shaft 9!, so that when yoke 44 is moved by cam '02 the shaft 9| is shifted. The hubs I08, I01, and H are mounted in the same manner. The totalizer so selected is engaged with the differential elements by rocking shaft 9|. To accomplish such rocking of shaft 9I a lever 91 is pinned to the right end thereof to be selectively operated. The totalizer shafts 93, 94 and 96 are supported similarly to shaft 95 in arms pinned on their respectivetotalizer frame shafts 90, 89, and 92 so that a totalizer in each of the rows of totalizers may be selected and swung into engagement and out of engagement with their respective differential elements by turning shafts 90, 89, and 92 by a suitable totalizer engaging mechanism such as that illustrated in United States Patent No. 2,101,636 to which reference has been made.

Whenever the drum cams BI and 82 are turned, all of the rows of totalizers are positioned alike to position the totalizers representing the 11 or the 12 keys depending on which key is depressed.

The three differential members 98, 99, and I00 (Fig. 2), representing the right three key banks for registering amounts, are shown positioned so they will engage with the totalizer wheels IOI, I02, and I03 on totalizer row 95, which wheels are associated with the 11 keys. Totalizer wheels I04, I05, and I represent the 12 keys and are placed in engageable position with the differential members when cam 82 is turned under the selective action of the 12 keys.

Near the end of the machine operation plate 22 (Fig. 1) is turned counterclockwise by'lever 34 (Fig. 1). If lever 68 has been displaced during the machine operation from the normal position shown, by depression of a 12 key, the lever 64 not having moved is unable to turn clockwise more than slightly from the position shown in Fig. 1 as it is in the sam plane as plate I8 (Fig. 2) thus causing pin II to act as a pivot as lever is turned clockwise forcing lever 58 to the home position shown in Fig. 1. Thus, the totalizer associated with the 11 keys is normally in engageable position with the diiferential members. When a machine operation is controlled by an "11 key the lever 64 is idly moved counterclockwise at the beginning of the machin operation and clockwise at the end of the machine operation, causing no movement of lever 68.

The machine release is so timed that surface 38 (Fig. 3) does not free lever 46 until the plate 22 is near its maximum clockwise movement assuring the selected totalizers are in engageable position before the machine commences its operation.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form or embodiment herein disclosed, for it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine of the class described having data entering and data withdrawing means; and a row of totalizers having thereon two totalizers one of which is normally positioned to be engaged with thesaid data entering andidata withdrawing means said totalizer "row being shiftable so as to bring the totalizer not normally positioned to position for data entering the data withdrawing, the combination of a plurality of keys part of which are associated with 'the normally positioned totalizer and part of which are associated with thetotalizer not normally positioned; a selector slidemovable in one direction by depressing the keys associated with the totalizer normally in position and movable in the other direction by depressing the keys associated with the totalizer not normally in position said slide-remaining in the position given it by the last key depressed until moved-in the other direction by a key of the other group; a plate having a uniform power actuated movement when any key is depressed; and a totalizer selecting differential means actuated by the plate under control of the selector slide to shift the totalizer rows if the normally positioned-totalizer is not the one associated with the depressed key.

2. In a machine of the class described having a main'operating mechanism; data entering and data withdrawing means; and a row of interspersed totalizers having thereon two totalizers one of which is normally positioned to be engaged with the said data entering and data withdrawing means said totalizer row being shiftable so as to bring the totalizer not normally positioned to position for data entering and data withdrawing, the combination of-a plurality of keys part of which are associated with the normally positioned totalizers and part of which are associated with the totalizer not normally positioned; a selector slide movable in one direction by depressing the keys associated with the totalizer normally in position and movable in the other direction by depressing the keys associated with the totalizer not normally in position said slide remaining in the position given it by the last key depressed until moved in the other direction by a key of the other group; a plate having a uniform power actuated movement when any key is depressed; a totalizer selecting differential means actuated by the plate under control of the selector slide to shift the totalizer row if the normally positioned totalizer is not the one associated with the depressed key; and means comprising a cam and lever moved by the main operating mechanism at the conclusion of a machine operation to return the totalizer row and totalizer selecting differential to normal position by restoring the plate'to its original position.

3. In a machine of the class described capable of performing cycles of operation, the combination of a bank of depressible keys divided into two groups; a source of power means to render the source of power potentially available, said means operated during the previous cycle of operation; a row of totalizers, each totalizer representing a group of said keys, said row being shiftable to select a totalizer for actuation; means whereby the depression of a key renders the power means operative before the commencement of the ensuing cycle of operation; a movable member actuated by the power means; and means set under control of the keys and cooperating with the movable member to shift to actuating position the totalizer representing the group to which the depressed key belongs.

4. In a machine of the class described capable of performing cycles of operation and having means to block the machine against operation and a plurality of totalizers any one of which may of the keys; a totalizerselecting control means operable by any key according to the grouping of the selected key; and means actuated by the unblocking means under control of the totalizer selecting control means, when said unblocking means is operated, for positioning for actuation the totalizer associated with the grouping of the depressed key.

5. In a machine of the class described capable of performing cycles of operation and having means to block the machine against operation; a shiftably mounted row of totalizers having two totalizers one of which is normally positioned to be actuated; and means to shift the other totalizer to said actuating position, the combination of a plurality of keys; normally ineffective power means for actuating the shifting means; means rendering the power means effective on operation of a key; and means difierentially set by certain of the keys to cause the effective power means to operate the shifting means.

6. In a machine of the class described capable of performing cycles of operation and having interspersed totalizers; means blocking the machine against operation; and machine blocking release means, the combination of a plurality of control keys divided into groups, the members of each group being associated with a certain totalizer and each of said keys operating the release means; a differentially settable control set in accordance with the grouping of a depressed key; and means actuated by the release means when rendered operative to position for actuation under control of the differentially settable means the totalizer associated with the operated key, before the machine is unblocked.

'7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a plurality of totalizers; a means to position a selected totalizer for actuation; a main operating means; a plurality of keys; a means to block the machine against operation; and a machine block release means rendered effective by depressing any key; with means differentially operated by operating the keys; and means controlled by the difierentially operated means and actuated by the release means to positionfor actuation the totalizer associated with the depressed key.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means to block the machine against operation; a plurality of shiftably mounted totalizers; means to shift a selected totalizer into operative position; a plurality of keys to control the operation of the shifting means to' determine which of the plurality of totalizers is to be moved into operable position bythe shifting means; means for operating the shifting means and simultaneously releasing the blocking means upon depression of a key before the operation of the machine commences; and means operable during one machine operation to condition the means for operating the shifting means for operation for the next succeeding machine operation.

9. In a normally locked machine of the class described, the combination of a row of interspersed totalizers; means to shift the row of totalizers to select a totalizer for operation; machine release means; keys operable to determine the selection of a totalizer and to cause the machine release means to operate; and means operated by the machine release means to operate the totalizer row shifting means to position the selected totalizer into its operating position before the machine is completely released.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a plurality of totalizers; a plural ity of keys divided into groups, each key of a group being associated with a certain one of the plurality of totalizers; means to normally look the machine against operation; means connected to the locking means and operable by depression of any one of said keys to release the machine for operation; and means actuated by the lastnamed means and controlled by the key which is depressed to select the totalizer associated with the depressed key prior to the complete release of the machine.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a row of interspersed totalizers; a pluraliity of depressible control keys divided into groups, the keys of each group being associated with a certain totalizer of the row of totalizers; means to move the group of totalizers to select a totalizer for operation; a source of potential energy; means for normally blocking the machine against operation; means operable by the source of potential energy to release the blocking means; and a plurality of connections between the control keys and the last-named means, one of said connections operable by the depression of a key to release the last-named means for operation by the potential power and the other connection being operable by the lastnamed means under control of a depressed key to control the extent of movement of the moving means to select the totalizer associated with the depressed key prior to the release of the blocking means.

ERNST BREI'ILING.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

s December 25, 1914.1.

tent No. 2, 66 8 6- ERNST BREITLING.

the printed specification onas follows: Page 5, secand line 20, same "power" and before It is hereby certified. that error appears in 0? the above numbered patent requiring correcti and column, line LL, claim 1, for "the" read. ond-- claim, for "rows" read. -row--; line 58', claim 5, after meens insert a semicolon; and that the said Letters Patent should be read withthiscorrection therein that the same may conform to the record at the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and. sealed this 10th day of February, A. D. 19 42;

, Henry VanArsdale, (seai Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

